This past week I went back up to the North Conway area for the last of the New Hampshire get aways for this year. Typical stuff like kayaking, swimming, blueberry picking, and Storyland was done, but really the beer was the most important of it all.

†Our first night there I picked up a six pack of Sam Adam’s Porch Rocker. I normally don’t buy six packs due to their price, but it was being sold for $7.50, and at that price a six pack made sense to buy. I had never had this before, and Norm (editor’s note: That’s me) raves about it all the time, and it did not disappoint. We had some friends over too, and one of them who doesn’t like beer said “Why do I hate beer, and really like this?” If you can impress a person like that you got a winner. In my opinion I’d like to see this replace their Summer Ale as its far superior to it.

I also picked up Squam’s Halcyon Steamer Stout, and drank it later that night warm. A stout in my opinion is best warm, and this is a great one warm. Perfect head, nice roasted smell, and easy to drink. I really like Squam, and can’t wait to get more next year.

We finished off our vacation with a celebration dinner at Moat Mountain. I had their Scottie IPA, and it was awesome. I was so in the mood for an IPA, and this was the right beer for the right moment. I then had their Matlida’s Red Ale to finish the night off. I love their red ale. Great color, smell, and wonderful malt taste, and smell. I also picked up a growler of their Weiss Ale to take back home. It didn’t last long once it got back to Massachusetts.

On another note they currently have a bunch of tanks outside as they’re making another off site brewery down the road. They couldn’t keep up with the demand, so they needed to expand. Hopefully, that means we’ll be seeing them in Massachusetts soon.

All in all New Hampshire has been a pleasant experience this year beer wise. From the consistently good Tuckerman’s, which wowed me with their Altitude this year, to Portsmouth Brewing Company’s Barley Wine, and Great Rhythm’s Pale Ale I have been very impressed with New Hampshire beer. Cheers to all the New Hampshire brewers, and beers you make!